Ashling Murphy: thousands attend vigil for Irish teacher killed going for run

Thousands have gathered in the town of Tullamore in Ireland as a vigil was held for Ashling Murphy.

Murphy was killed on Wednesday afternoon while going for a run along the banks of the Grand Canal in the town in County Offaly.

The killing has provoked an outpouring of grief in Ireland and beyond, as well as anger and revulsion at another young woman allegedly murdered while going about her business in public.

Events also took place in Belfast, Dublin and other towns and cities across the island of Ireland on Friday with further rallies and vigils to be staged over the weekend.

In London, a vigil will be held at the London Irish Centre in Camden Town on Saturday at 4pm.

The killing follows the conviction of Wayne Couzens for the kidnap, rape and murder of Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, as she walked home in March last year. Couzens, who at the time of the crime was a serving Metropolitan police officer, was sentenced to life in prison.

Last month, Koci Selamaj accepted responsibility for the death of the 28-year-old schoolteacher Sabina Nessa in London in September. She was found dead a day after leaving her home to meet a friend in a nearby bar. Selamaj pleaded not guilty to her murder and the trial is continuing.